Steam Spot: Jim Thorpe, PA

Greetings NJSS,

New Jersey has a great many places, some of which manage to tickle a Steampunk's fancy. As such, I feel the need to share them with you, and here is one of my favourites.

Through the Looking Glass is a great place to go get something to eat in quasi-Steampunk style. A small cafe and restaurant located not far away in Jim Thorpe, PA.

Precariously placed at 111 Broadway, the small shop is cozily packed with mismatched armchairs and various paraphernalia pertaining to Alice in Wonderland. Tables are cluttered with ramshackle tea sets and as you eat, a wall-sized painting of Alice and friends watches over you. Here is their poorly endowed website.

Order up some of their tea and honey bread and enjoy the close quarters and old architecture of the tiny shop as you rest, for this isn't the only place you will want to visit. The main streets of Jim Thorpe are ripe with history and old architecture. The garden of the library is small but fine, and the many stores provide entertainment for a short while.

A number of the stores I enjoy myself are the small candy store, a toy store which sells old toys, a couple of vintage and antique stores and the one particular Emporium of Curious Goods, which, though open every day, is always mysteriously closed when I visit and holds wonders in its windows.

They also provide scenic train rides in old-fashioned open window train cars. They are very fun, and the train station is right in the center of town by the old church and is easily spotted, the ride providing a view only available from the train.  The train prices are here.

If you wish for a slightly more active day, you can go swimming in the river that the train passes over. Many people venture down there on hot days and splash about in the shallow shores, going so far as to bring tubes to float down the easy rapids and make their way back up the gravel shores. (Swimming shoes would be a good idea...) Definitely a fun time for all!

I do hope you would enjoy your adventure as much as I do on this scenic drive-by.

Happy Exploring,

Miss E.J. Fynne